Jun 20, 2007 9:51 AM

Albertson's LLC intends to exit the Oklahoma marketplace and outsource the grocery distribution operations that support its Dallas-Fort Worth TX division.

This will be achieved through the sale of its Fort Worth Distribution Center to Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) and combined with a subsequent five-year supply agreement for continued service by the distribution center to Albertson’s stores operated by the company's Dallas-Fort Worth division. Albertson’s also plans to sell 23 of its stores in Oklahoma to four AWG member retailers and close its remaining three stores in the state later this summer.

Stores throughout Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas are not impacted.

The four AWG member retailers acquiring the Albertson’s stores are Homeland Inc, Reasor's Inc, RPCS Inc, and Williams Discount Foods. The stores in Oklahoma will remain open and operating under the Albertson’s banner until they are sold. These asset sales are expected to close beginning in mid-July, with the store sales likely before the sale of the distribution center.